Youre in Big Trouble, Brad!Electronic book published by ipicturebooks.com24 W. 25th St. New York, NY 10011 www.ipicturebooks.comAll rights reserved. Copyright 1998 by The Millbrook Press, Inc.Real Kids Readers and the Real Kids Readers logo are trademarks of The Millbrook Press, Inc.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For Mom L. P.Special thanks to Lands End, Dodgeville, WI, for providing clothing and to Converse for providing sneakers.e-ISBN 1-58824-504-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataPapademetriou, Lisa.Youre in big trouble, Brad / Lisa Papademetriou ; photographs by Dorothy Handelman.p. cm. (Real kids readers. Level 3)Summary: Called to the principals office, Brad remembers all the tricks he has played on his classmates and wonders who has turned him in.ISBN 0-7613-2022-9 (lib. bdg.) ISBN 0-7613-2047-4 (pbk.).1. Behavior Fiction. 2. Schools Fiction. I. Handelman, Dorothy, ill. II. Title. III. Series. PZ7.P1954Yo 1998 E dc21Youre in Big Trouble, Brad!By Lisa PapademetriouPhotographs by Dorothy HandelmanBrad peeked into his backpack. Inside, he had a big surprise for his teacher, Ms. Carter. He couldnt wait to leave it on her desk.“Ribbit!” said the surprise.It was a frog.“Shhh,” Brad said to the frog. “Be queit, or youll get us in trouble.”Brad loved playing tricks on people, but he hated getting caught. So far, hed been pretty lucky.46“Are you paying attention, Brad?” asked Ms. Carter.“Yes, Ms. Carter,” said Brad. He smiled sweetly at his teacher.“Then why are you talking to your backpack?” she asked.The class laughed, and Brad felt a little silly. “Oh, well,” he thought. “Soon theyll have something else to laught at. Something green with webbed feet!”7Just then a womans voice came over the intercom. “Good morning,” said the voice.The kids all froze. That voice belonged to the principal, Dr. Simms. She was very strict.“Bradley Farmer,” Dr. Simms went on. “Please come to my office right away. Thank you.”Brad wasnt used to being called Bradley. It took him a minute to realize that Dr. Simms meant him!Eve, the girl who sat in front of Brad, turned around. She gave him a mean smile. “Youre in big trouble, Brad,” she said.10Brad made a face back, but his heart was pounding. Which trick was he in trouble for? It was hard to guess there were so many! But one thing was for sure. He did not want to go to the principals office.11“Well, Brad,” said Ms. Carter. “you heard Dr. Simms. Its time to go.”“But, Ms. Carter, I cant!” said Brad. His teacher frowned. “Why not?”“Because . . . because . . . its my turn to feed the fish today,” Brad said. He hurried over to the fish tank.“I think theyll live while you talk to the principal,” Ms. Carter said.12“Maybe so,” Brad said. “But what if theres a flood in the basement or the roof caves in? Im the line leader this week. What if you need me to lead the class outside?”“I guess well just have to get along without you,” said Ms. Carter.Very slowly, Brad got ready to go. “Ill need to take my books,” he said. “Brad,” said Ms. Carter.“And my pencil case and my folders and my notebook,” said Brad.“Brad!” said Ms. Carter. “Leave those things here and just go.”15Brad sighed. He put everything back.His teacher smiled at him. “Dont worry. Youll be fine,” she said.Brad grabbed his backpack and headed for the door.“Ribbit,” said the backpack. “What was that?” asked Ms. Carter. “Um . . . that was a hiccup,” said Brad. “Excuse me!”1618“Good luck, Brad. Youll need it!” said Eve. And she gave him another mean grin.A moment later, Brad was alone in the hall. He started walking. Soon he would have to face the principal.Who could have told on him?“Maybe it was Eve,” he said out loud. His voice sounded creepy in the empty hall. But he smiled, remembering the trick he had pulled on her. . . . 19Eve had a fancy lunch box that she always bragged about. Every time she opened it, she would say, “Isnt my lunch box cool? Look, the cup and plate and spoon all match.”Brad didnt like Eves bragging. He wanted to teach her a lesson.Eve kept her lunch box next to her desk, right in front of Brad. One day, when Eve was busy reading, he grabbed the lunch box. Then he pulled something out of his backpack.It was a snake!The snake was made of rubber, but it looked very real. Brad put it into Eves lunch box. Then he pushed the lunch box across the floor to Eves desk.23When Eve opened her lunch box, she let out a scream. It was very loud!Brad hid his smile and pretended to be just as surprised as she was. Too bad he couldnt ask for his snake back. But at least Eve never bragged about her lunch box again!Had Eve guessed that he was behind the trick and told on him? Maybeor maybe not. Matt could